Batwing originally grabbed me because 1) it takes place on the continent of Africa, 2) the lead is Black, and 3) his story was a different take on the Batman idea. Bruce, Dick, Barbara, Jason, Tim, etc. all had tragedy befall them; David Zavimbe’s tragedy was that he perpetrated it. Just typing that punches me in the gut all over again. The gravity of David Zavimbe’s mission of redemption is a wonderful perspective from which to tell a Bat family story. David sought the means to right the wrongs around him, knowing that some of those wrongs bear his fingerprints. That is a character who grabs me.
In truth, I like Luke Fox. I like the light and energy that he brings to the Batwing armor, and to the Bat family (which desperately needed a ripple in the water). Still, the more I think I about it, the more I feel as though we’ve smushed Barbara Gordon’s enthusiasm for crime-fighting with Dick Grayson’s snark and sass, dipped it in brown paint and slapped the armor on it (which happens to be faceless, maybe so that new readers will already be wooed by the time they learn the guy inside is Black).
In sum, I’ll roll with Batwing as long as I’m enjoying the book. If they start dropping the ball, I’ll drop the title. I want to support a book with a Black lead (because according to the Big 2, they don’t sell), but I won’t support a bad book with a Black lead. I think I’m in permanent wait-and-see mode.
PS - Speaking of books with Black leads, shoutout to Valiant’s Shadowman reboot, and Stranger’s Dusu. Gonna be picking those up this week.
“You did not just say that.”
“I did.”
“and you meant it?”
“I did.”
[Batwing #16]
if you don’t like David Zavimbe, you’re wrong.
~Agreed.
These are personal opinions and you may or may not agree with them.
I am now caught up with Batwing, and I have to say, I really do not like David’s replacement.
While the writers did take care to send David off/get him out of the costume in a way that felt true to the character and what he’d gone through in the last 4 or so issues, I am so much more interested in what David is doing now, rather than following the adventures of Batwing: Spoiled American Brat Edition.
Criticism and (probably minor) spoilers under the cut
~I agree with everything you’ve mentioned here (ESPECIALLY your first point; I *so* wanted the new Batwing to be Congolese)… except for one thing: the switch was purely commerce-driven, but if they’re gonna make a change, they’ve gotta commit to it. I much prefer David Zavimbe to Luke Fox, but if Luke is Batwing, then let him be Batwing. Period. Having David hang around would undermine him even more than they already did with his “retirement.”
Personally, I want to see what David is doing to clean up Tinasha on his own now. He was a nightstick-wielding vigilante in kevlar before Bruce came a-knockin (second choice, my ass); since he’s learned that the Bat symbol doesn’t resonate in the DRC, I wanna see what does. David’s story is so very compelling; he really wants to wash the blood off his hands by fighting for what’s right. That’s a guy who deserves a monthly.
Hell, if DC doesn’t want him, give him to me. I’ll write, and I’ve got a college buddy to do the art. David Zavimbe’s story —along with many stories on the continent of Africa— should be told.
What’s New With Batwing?
So you’ve probably noticed by now, I’ve been talkin’ a lot about Batwinglately. I haven’t bought…
Luke Fox
Alias: Batwing
Son of Lucius Fox.Equipment: Luke wears a full body armor covering him from head to toe. The suit is bulletproof, has limited invisibility in low light areas, has a retractable cape for gliding on air currents and has interior skin which monitors vital signs and produces medical repair capabilities eg. If the wearer breaks his arm the suit hardens around the area holding the bone in place and administering a shot of pain killers. The suit also has retractable tranquilizers in the gauntlets that can also be fired like bullets.
Luke has also been given tech based bats called Vapor bats that can release sleeping gas. Batman has also given him his own batmobile armed with missiles, able to fly and float.
David Zavimbe/Batwing
~Let me go on record now with my displeasure at how hastily and haphazardly this title has been handled. Batwing as embodied by David Zavimbe could have been a great character with many great adventures, but his stories have been rushed and neglected, and now —after only EIGHTEEN ISSUES— he’s being replaced. That’s bullshit, point-blank, period. The better blow my doors off with the new Batwing, or I’m out.
(via heckyeahbatwing)
New Batwing by Ken Hunt
~I am so nervous about the upcoming changes to Batwing… *fingers crossed*
(via batmansblackrose)
